For more than a century, Gino Verrecchia and his family have been serving up much more than café favourites to generations of Glaswegians.

First opened by Gino’s grandfather Pasquale in 1918, The University Café has become a Glasgow institution. Today, Gino runs the café alongside his sons, Americo and Paulo, continuing five generations of Italian family tradition.

Blending its Italian heritage, including a 100-year-old gelato recipe, with Scottish favourites, the café has welcomed generations of locals through its doors, as well as famous visitors including Anthony Bourdain, who stopped by for battered haggis during a trip to Scotland.

It’s that dedication to family, heritage and community that makes independent business owners like Gino Local Royalty. 

Gino has been immortalised by acclaimed Glasgow-based portrait artist Gareth Reid, who painted HM King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, in 2019. Gareth has now turned his attention to one of Glasgow’s own local icons, capturing Gino and celebrating his role at the heart of a business that has served the city for more than 100 years.

His portrait joins those of three other independent business owners from across Great Britain, each painted by an artist who has previously received an official commission to paint a member of the Royal Family.

Together, they form the Local Royalty exhibition at London’s Saatchi Gallery, shining a spotlight on the people behind the pubs, cafés, convenience stores and takeaways that play such an important role in everyday life.

As part of Local Royalty, Gino will receive his finished portrait to keep and pass down through his family for generations. A donation will also be made to his chosen local charity. 

Local Royalty is the third instalment in our campaign celebrating the impact of independent retail partners on their local communities and economies, following The Bosses and Counter Cultures.